A Zimbabwean national was arrested yesterday at OR Tambo International airport in South Africa for being in possession of 23 pieces of smuggled gold worth R11 Million.
The 33-year-old man is expected to appear at Kempton Park Regional Court on Monday.
According to a South African radio station, South African Serious Organised Crime Investigation team known as “The Hawks” spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase said they arrested the suspect on Saturday.
The suspect failed to declare any luggage in their possession and did not have any documentation or permits that authorises them to transport the yellow metal.
“He allegedly failed to declare any items and did not have any permits or licences to be in possession or transport gold and the Hawks were called to effect the arrest and further investigation,” Nkwalase said.
He said the suspect had travelled from the capital city Harare to Johannesburg, South Africa.
The suspect faces charges of contravening the South African Customs Act. The suspect is alleged to be a Zimbabwean national.
Zimbabwe is losing at least US$100 million worth of gold every month, which is being smuggled out of the country through porous borders with the Government in the process of rolling out measures to plug the leakages.
This is a developing story more to follow…
